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E46 (1999 - 2006) The fourth generation 3 Series (E46 chassis) was introduced in 1999 and set the standard for engineering and performance during it's years of production including being named to Car & Driver's 10 best list every one of those years! ! -- View the E46 Wiki

Picked our 330xi up on Monday. On the way home today I glanced at the dash and saw the "check passenger brake light" symbol. When I arrived home, went to check it and indeed it is out. I really love the way this car drives, but I hope this is not a precursor of things to come.

In the first 50000 miles I've replaced maybe three bulbs. Now I will have to read the manual downloaded from BMW to see how to change the bulbs. You have a cool car and this is not going to be a big problem. Wax the nose and chin of your car to keep the bugs from destroying,next summer, the very soft paint -huge problem.

I have a similar problem. It's in how the bulb holder is made. If you take out the bulb you will see the metal tang that presses against the bulb leads. On my car the part of the metal tang that presses against the bulb has deformed from the heat. Periodically the tail light warning light comes on, then after a little while it goes off. I don't know if this is the problem your having but it's worth taking a couple of minutes to look at. My car is a 2000, so I don't know if in the few miles you have driven it if it will cause the same thing to happen.